Acute shortage of soldiers! Russia recruits Yemeni men and sends them to fight in Ukraine

Russia has recruited hundreds of men from Yemen to fight in Ukraine, underscoring growing ties between Moscow and the Iran-backed Houthi rebel militia, the Financial Times reports.

The men from Yemen traveled to Russia, where they were forcibly conscripted into the Russian army and sent to the front line in Ukraine, the publication said.

Recruited Yemenis told the newspaper that they had traveled to Russia through a Houthi-linked company and had been promised high-paying jobs and even Russian citizenship.

The US Special Envoy for Yemen, Tim Lenderking, commented to the Financial Times that Moscow is working to strengthen its ties with the Houthis, with arms transfer negotiations underway.

"We know that there are Russian officials in Sana'a who are helping to deepen this dialogue," he said. "The types of weapons being discussed are very disturbing and would allow the rebels to attack ships more effectively in the Red Sea and perhaps beyond.